Sports Terminal

In the absence of QB prospects like Andrew Luck or top-flight running backs like Trent Richardson, could this year’s draft shine a spotlight on the defensive side of the football early? It certainly seems possible, especially given the number of players with elite potential there — and the challenge facing coaching staffs to slow the league’s recent offensive breakthroughs.

The Jets have a vexing problem with Darrelle Revis, but if GM John Idzik plays his cards right, he could at least partially save face for trading the franchise's best player by getting no less than first- and third-round draft choices from Tampa Bay for the problematic cornerback, a source close to the negotiations told SI.com. In fact, the source said, if the Jets are willing to take both picks in 2014, Tampa Bay would likely deal its first- and second-round picks for Revis, even though t

It is highly unlikely that Wes Welker signing in Denver for a relative pittance is what Tom Brady had in mind when he gave the Patriots $15 million in cap relief two weeks ago. Well, $12 million for two years' work might not be your idea of a relative pittance. But for a player who has averaged 112 catches a year over his six-year New England career -- and who clearly was Brady's go-to compadre -- the move of Welker to Denver has to be a crushing blow.

Losing Wes Welker is one thing. But seeing the trusted slot receiver defect to the Denver Broncos, only to improve Peyton Manning's chances of winning another Super Bowl ring, might be enough to make Tom Brady wonder.

The excitement of free agency is building. Fans look to the free-agency period for hope. Bad teams hope to get better with the ability to add new starters. On Friday, the salary cap got a slight bump from a projected $120.9 million to $123 million after the NFLPA agreed to borrow from future benefits. The extra room might mean a couple of additions for teams that might be close to the cap.

Nothing can be decided in the NFL until teams take the field in September, of course, but often contenders are separated from pretenders during the span from the start of free agency until the close of the draft.